Apparatus for necking-in can bodies

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for necking-in an end portion of can bodies includes a rotatable turret. A plurality of circumferentially spaced clamping devices are provided on the turret, each for clamping a major portion of the outer circumferential surface of a can body between the opposite end edges thereof. The turret carries a corresponding plurality of circumferentially spaced spindles. Each spindle carries inner and outer forming rolls mounted on roll axes extending parallel to and spaced from the longitudinal axis of the spindle. The rolls are positioned adjacent the inner and outer surfaces of one end of a can body, the spindle is rotated, and the rolls are moved toward one another to neck-in the end portion of the can body as the turret rotates.

United States Patent [191 Nelsen et al.

[4 1 Oct. 21, 1975 1 APPARATUS FOR NECKING-IN CAN BODIES [73] Assignee:Gulf & WesternManufacturing Company, Southfield, Mich.

22 Filed: May 10,1974

211 App]. No.: 468,830

[52] US. Cl. 72/121; 72/94; 72/123; 72/124 [51] Int. Cl}, B21D 19/06;B21D 41/04 [58] Field of Search. 113/1 G, 7 A, 120 R, 120 AA; 72/94, 84,22,105,117,111,121,123,124

3,688,538 9/1972 Hoyne 72/94 3,754,424 8/1973 Costanzo .4 72/105 PrimaryExam'iner-Lowell A. Larson Attorney, Agent, or FirmMeyer, Tilberry &Body [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for necking-in an end portion of can bodiesincludes a rotatable turret. A plurality of circumferentially spacedclamping devices are provided on the turret, each for clamping a majorportion of the outer circumferential surface of a can body between theopposite end edges thereof. The turret carries a corresponding pluralityof circumferentially spaced spindles. Each spindle carries inner andouter forming rolls mounted on roll axes extending parallel to andspaced from the longitudinal axis of the spindle. The rolls arepositioned adjacent the inner and outer surfaces of one end of a canbody, the spindle is rotated, and the rolls are moved toward one anotherto neck-in the end portion of the can body as the turret rotates.

17 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheetlof93,913,366

Sheet 2 of 9 U.S. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 U. S. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet3 of9 3,913,366

US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 I2 FIG. 4

Sheet 4 of 9 U.S. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet50f9 3,913,366

5 m, 6 l m B 6 O 2 o z B B 9 B m m 5 I I. a A 4 J6 L o a n I \Illli IIII g fi w i i & 5 ma 2% s J, I I ll 2 8| /WM H WH U h M i Hub 8 Q 0 v 7 Bx f 4 3 1 e\ op H. m m 4 w B B I B l B U.S. Patant 0a. 21, 1975 Sheet 60f 9 US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet 7 of9 3,913,366

APPARATUS FOR NECKING-IN CAN BODIES DISCLOSURE This invention relates tothe art of machines for forming circumferential impressions in"cylindrical metal bodies and, more particularly, to apparatus fornecking-in the end of a cylindrical metal can body.

Apparatus has been provided heretofore for neckingin an end portion ofacylindrical open ended metal can body. For example, US. Pat. No.3,754,424, issued Aug. 28, 1973, and assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention, discloses-an arrangement for necking-in end portionsof can bodies with inner and outer forming rolls. The forming rolls aremounted ona support for independent idling rotation relative to oneanother.

The inner roll is positioned withinone end of the can body and is movedradially outwardly, and the outer roll is positioned outside the canbody at the one end and is moved radially inwardly of the bodytocooperate with the inner roll to reduce the diameter of the bodyadjacent the one end thereof by producing a radially inwardly'circumferentially' extending recess thereabout. In the arrangement ofthe aforementioned patent, a can body is supported by an internalmandrel and the can body and forming roll support are relatively rotatedduring the necking-in operation. The forming rolls are rotated byengagement thereof with the can body.

In accordance with the present invention, apparatus is provided whichincludes forming rolls operable in the foregoing manner for necking-incan body ends and which, advantageously, provides for continuouslyproducing can bodies in a manner whichenhances high production rate withminimum production and maintenance costs. More particularly, apparatusin accordance with the present invention includes a rotatable turretcarrying a plurality of 'circumferentially spaced clamping devices, eachadapted to clamp a major portion of the outer circumferentialsurface ofa can body to support the body during the necking-in operation. In thisrespect, the clamping device holds the can body against deformation outof its cylindrical configuration during the necking-in operation.

In accordance with a preferred arrangement, the turret carriescircumferentially spaced spindle assemblies, each of which iscooperatively aligned with a clamping device. Each spindle assemblyincludes a spindle which is rotatable relative to the turret and. whichcarries inner and outer forming rolls fo r necking-in an end pot tion ofa can body. The forming rolls are rotatable, as idler rolls, on axesextending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spindleand spaced laterally therefrom so that the roll axes travel in circularpaths about the longitudinal axis of the spindle during spindlerotation/The spindle is rotated during rotation of the turret andrelative to the turret, preferably by an arrangement which enablescontrol of the speed of spindle rotation and, accordingly, the metalforming speed.

The spindle assembly further includes a cam arrangement forprogressively moving the forming rolls toward one another to neck-in anend portion ofa can body in a manner which avoids wrinkling of the canmaterial. In a preferred embodiment, the cam arrangement includes anaxially reciprocable cam rod each spindle having cam surfaces cooperablewith c'am followers on pivotal levers which support the forming rolls.Du ring rotation of the turret, the cam rod is. displaced axially I sothat the cam surfacesthereon operate through the cam followers on thepivotal levers to shift the levers and thus the rolls toward oneanotherto neck-in an end portion of a can bo'dy.

During rotation of the turret through one complete 'rev'olution'aboutits axis, a can body is received and held by a clamping device, theforming-rolls are positioned relative to the can body end and arerotated as a unit and radially displaced relative to the can body toachieve necking-in thereof, the forming rolls are recan bodies in amariner which avoids wrinklingof the material of the can bodies.

A further object is the provision of apparatus of the foregoingcharacter which includes a unique spindle structure of relatively simpleconstruction, and which is rotatable as a unit about a support axis andat the same time is rotatable about its ownaxis and actuated to performa necking-in operation. Still another object of the present invention isthe provision of apparatus for necking-in end portions of can bodieswhich is efficient in operation, is operable at a high production rate,and minimizes production and maintenance costs.

The foregoing objects, and others, will in part be ob'- vious and inpart pointed out more fully hereinafter in conjunction with the writtendescription of a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated inthe accompanying drawings in which:

' FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;I

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation of the apparatus taken alongline 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the apparatus; 5

FIG. 5 isian enlarged side elevation view of a clamping device 'of theapparatus; j

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the clamping device illustrated in FIG. 5,the section being along line 6-6 in FIG. 5; v f

FIG. 7 is a detail view of the clamp links and pins taken along line 7-7in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a spindle assembly of the apparatus;

FIG. 9 is aside elevation view, partially in section, of the spindleassembly, the section being along line 9-9 in FIG. 8; I

' FIG. 10 is an end elevation view of the spindle taken along line 10-.10 of FIG. 9; and,

FIG. 1 l is avdisplacement diagram for certain components of theapparatus duringone complete revolution of the turret.

Referring in greaterdetail to the drawings, wherein the showings are forthe purpose of illustrating a preferred-embodiment of the presentinvention only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention,apparatus for necking-in end portions of can bodies in accordance withthe present invention is illustrated generally in FIGS. 1 and 2. In thisrespect, the apparatus includes a frame which supports a can bodysupporting and forming assembly 12 for rotation relative thereto.Assembly 12 includes a turret which carries a plurality of can bodyclamping devices 14 and pairs of spindle assemblies 16 on axiallyopposite sides of the clamping devices. Can bodies to be necked-in areintroduced into the apparatus downwardly through an input chute 18, andformed cans are discharged from the apparatus through a discharge chute20. As will be described more fully hereinafter, can bodies to be formedare transported to and picked up by clamping devices 14 as the clampingdevices rotate past an input station and, after forming, are dischargedfrom the clamping devices and transported to the discharge chute as theclamping devices rotate past a discharge station.

With further regard to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus includes a speedreducer unit 22 driven by a motor 24 through a suitable belt arrangementto rotate assembly 12 clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2, and motors 26 and28 are provided for rotating spindle members of the spindle assemblies16 disposed on corresponding sides of clamping devices 14, as set forthmore fully hereinafter.

With regard in general to the operation of the apparatus, assembly 12 iscontinuously rotated, and a can body is delivered to and clamped by eachclamping device 14 as the latter moves past the input station of theapparatus. As assembly 12 rotates toward the output station, opposedspindleassemblies 16 are extended toward and positioned relative to theadjacent ends of the can held in the corresponding clamping device, andforming rollers associated with the spindle assembly are acutated toachieve necking-in of the opposite ends of the can body by translatingthe forming rolls about the periphery of the can body ends. As aclamping device and the associated spindle assembles approach thedischarge station, the spindle assemblies are retracted axially from thecan body ends and the clamping device is actuated to release the formedcan body for transportation thereof from the discharge station todischarge chute 20.

The general arrangement and structure of the components of theapparatus, including those referred to hereinabove, will be betterunderstood from the illustrations in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawing.With regard to these FIGS., it will be seen that frame 10 includes abase portion 30 adapted to rest on a support surface, such as a floor,and axially spaced apart upright portions 32 and 34 at opposite ends ofbase portion 30. Upright portions 32 and 34 support rotatable can bodysupporting and forming assembly 12 for rotation relative to frame 10and, in this respect, a pair of pillow blocks 36 and 38 are mounted onupright portions 32 and 34, respectively, to rotatably support a turretshaft 40. Turret shaft 40 has an end 42 extending beyond pillow block 38and suitably coupled with the output of speed reducer 22 so as to bedriven thereby. Speed reducer 22 has an input shaft 44 which is adaptedto be rotated by drive motor 24 through an endless belt 46. A hand wheel48 is coupled with input shaft 44 to provide for manual rotation ofturret shaft 40.

A clamp and spindle assembly support turret 50 is mounted on and keyedor otherwise interconnected with turret shaft 40 for rotation therewith.In the disclosed embodiment, turret 50 is comprised- 0f a pair ofsubstantially identical turret members 52 centrally interconnected, suchas by nut and bolt assemblies 53, so as to be rotatable as a unit withshaft 40. Each turret member 52 includes radially outwardly extendingarm portions 54 having axially extending support flanges 56 at the outerends thereof. Arm portions 54 of the two turret members are axiallyspaced apart to provide a space therebetween for receiving can bodyclamping devices 14 which are mounted on one of the turret members, asset forth more fully hereinafter.

A plurality of mounting brackets 58 are bolted or otherwise secured toarm portions 54 of each turret member 52 in circumferentially spacedapart relationship with respect to one another. Circumferentially.ad-.jacent brackets 58 are cooperable, as set forth more fully hereinafter,to support a spindle assembly .16 for rotation with the turret and axialdisplacement relative thereto. Each bracket 58 includesa bottom plate 60supported on flange 56, an upstanding wall 62 at the axial inner end ofbottom plate 60 and by which the bracket is secured to arm portion 54,and an upstanding wall 64 at the axial outer end of bottom plate 60.Walls 62 and 64 are provided with axially aligned pairs of openings forspindle assembly pins 66 and 68 which are spaced apart and parallel toone another and suitably fastened in the bracket openings againstdisplacement therefrom. Spindle assembly 16 will be described in greaterdetail hereinafter, but for purposes of the showings in FIGS. 3 and 4,each spindleassembly includes a housing 70 having opposed pairs of arms72 extending radially outwardly adjacent the axially opposite ends ofthe housing. Arms 72 are apertured to slideably receive pins 66 and 68,whereby the spindle assembly is supported between adjacent brackets 58for sliding movement relative thereto and generally parallel to the axisof turret shaft 40.

Each clamping device 14 is operable to clamp a can body C in coaxialalignment with a corresponding pair of opposed spindle assemblies 16. Itwill be appreciated therefore that the number of clamping devices 14corresponds to the number of opposed pairs of spindle assemblies 16disposed about the periphery of turret 50. The structure of the clampingdevices will be described in greater detail hereinafter, but for thepurpose of the showings in FIGS. 3 and 4, each clamping device includesa mounting bracket 74 adapted to be bolted or otherwise secured to armportion 54 of either one of the turret members 52 so that the clampingdevice is positioned centrally therebetween. i

Each spindle assembly 16 is adapted to be shifted toward thecorresponding end portion of can C for the forming rolls associated withthe spindle assembly to engage and neck-in the corresponding end of thecan, as described more fully hereinafter. Reciprocation of each spindleassembly relative to the corresponding turret member 52 is achieved by acam follower 76 mounted on housing 70and extending radially inwardly ofthe turret axis, and cam members 78 and 80 supported by frame 10 of theapparatus. Cam follower 76 includes a pair of rollers 82 and 84 mountedon housing 70 by means of a pin 86 which supports the rollers forrotation relative thereto. Cam member 78 includes a cam face 88 engagingroller 82, and cam member 80 includes a cam face 90 engaging roller 84.Cam members 78 and 80 are annular ring elements supported in axiallyspaced apart relationship by means of a frame member 92 to which the cammembers are bolted or otherwise secured. Frame member 92 surroundsturret shaft 40 adjacent the corresponding one of the frame uprights 32and 34, and is secured to the corresponding upright such as by bolts 94extending through a mounting flange 96 on the upright and intocorresponding threaded recesses in frame member 92.

It will be appreciated that rotation of turret shaft 40 rotates eachcylinder assembly 16 about the turret axis, and that the axial positionsof opposed cam faces 88 and 90 operate to axially position spindleassembly 16 relative to the corresponding clamping device 14. Camsurfaces 88 and 90 are appropriately contoured to achieve movement ofthe spindle assemblies 16 between an extended position in which theforming rolls are cooperably positioned axially of the corresponding canend and a retracted position in which the forming rolls are axiallyspaced from the corresponding can end. Moreover, the contours of camfaces 88 and 90 provide for the extended and retracted movements ofassemblies 16 to occur at predetermined points during rotation of theturret.

As set forth more fully hereinafter, each spindle 'assembly 16 includesa spindle rotatable relative to housing 70 to achieve rotation of theforming rolls about the periphery of the corresponding end of a can heldby clamping device 14. To achieve such rotation, the end of the spindleopposite the end facing can C is provided with a spindle gear 98 keyedor otherwise mounted on the spindle against rotation and axialdisplacement relative thereto. An annular sun gear 100 is mounted onframe member 92 and is supported by a suitable bearing assembly 102 forrotation relative to the frame member 92 and about an axis whichcoincides with the axis of turret shaft 40. The teeth of sun gear 100are disposed in meshing engagement with the teeth of spindle gear 98,whereby rotation of sun gear 100 imparts rotation to the spindle shaft.

Sun gear 100 is adapted to be driven by the corresponding one of themotors 26 and 28. Inthis respect, an annular drive gear 104 is bolted orotherwise mounted on each sun gear 100 for rotation therewith. Gear 104is adapted to be driven by a pinion 106 having a shaft 108 rotatablysupported relative to the corresponding one of the frame uprights 32 and34. Pinion 106 is rotatable through a sheave 110 interconnected with thecorresponding one of the drive motors 26 and 28 by an endless belt 112.It will be seen therefore that each of the sun gears 100 is rotatableindependently of the other through the corresponding drive motor,whereby the speed of rotation of the spindles of the correspondingspindle assemblies can be controlled independently. It will be furtherseen that the sun gear and spindle drive gear arrangements, beingseparate from the drive arrangement for the turret, provide for varyingthe speed of rotation of the spindles and thus the forming rolls toachieve a desired forming speed. While this arrangement is preferred, itwill be appreciated that sun gears 100 could be fixed against rotationrelative to frame member 92, whereby the spindles would be rotated bythe engagement between gears 98 and 100 and in response to rotation ofthe turret and thus the spindle assemblies relative to the frame.Moreover, it will be appreciated that arrangements for rotating thespindles, other than such gear arrangements, can be employed.

As described more fully hereinafter, each spindle assembly includes acam rod reciprocable relative to the corresponding spindle to displacethe forming rolls radially relative to one another. The cam rod extendsaxially outwardly beyond spindle gear 98 and is provided on its outerend with a cam follower in the form of a roll 114 adapted to engage camsurface 116 ofa cam member 118 supported by the corresponding one of theframe uprights 32 and 34. Cam member 118 is an annular component mountedon the frame in coaxial relationship with respect to the axis of turretshaft 40, and cam surface 116 is contoured peripherally of the cammember to provide for the desired axial displacement of the cam rodwithin the spindle assembly, as explained more fully hereinafter.

With regard now in particular to FIG. 3, input chute 18 for can bodiesto be formed delivers the can bodies to the upper end of an inclinedspiral feed screw 120 which is rotated to transmit and properly spacecansfor the sequential delivery thereof to an input star wheel 122. Starwheel 122 is located at the input station of the apparatus and isrotated and coordinated with rotation of the turret to deliver canbodies sequentially to clamping devices 14 as the latter rotate past theinput station. Frame 10 of the apparatus supports and arcuate clampingcam 124 which extends circumferentially of the input and output stationsand is operable as set forth hereinafter to open the clamping devicewhen it reaches the output station and to close the clamping deviceabout a can body received therein at the input station. As the turretrotates from the input station toward the output station the oppositeends of the clamped can are formed, and as the turret approaches theoutput station cam 124 operates to open the clamping device fordischarge of the formed container onto output star wheel 126 whichrotates to transfer the can body to output chute 20 for discharge fromthe apparatus. The details concerning input and discharge of can bodiesto the clamping device does not form a part of the present invent-ion,and it will be appreciated that many arrangements can be employed toachieve the input and discharge functions.

The structure and operation of clamping devices 14 will be bestunderstood with reference to the illustrations in FIGS. 5, 6 'and 7 ofthe drawing. It will be seen from these Figures that the bracket portion74 which is bolted or otherwise secured to one of the arm portions 54 ofthe turret includes a pair of arms 130 extending radially outwardly ofthe turret in circumferentially spaced apart relationship to provide aradial slot 132 therebetween which is open at the outer ends of thearms. A slide bracket 134 is mounted on arms 130 such as by bolts 136.Slide bracket 134 includes a pair of circumferentially spaced apart legs138 interconnected at their radially outer ends by bridging portion 140,and closed at the radially inner ends thereof by an end plate 142 whichis suitably interconnected with the corresponding ends of the legs suchas by threaded studs 144. A slide member 146 is disposed between legs138 and is supported thereby for sliding movement radially of theturret. In this respect, the circumferentially opposite slides of slide146 are provided with recesses 148 and the corresponding inner faces oflegs 138 are provided with guide and support ribs 150 received inrecesses 148.

Slide member 146 of the clamping device is provided with a pair of camfollower arms 152 which are suitably interconnected with one another andwiththe slide member, such as by threaded studs 154 extending throughopenings inone of the cam follower arms and the slide and into threadedengagement with .corre sponding threaded openings in the other of thecam fol-. lower arms. The radial inner end of slide 146'is provided witha recess 156, and the radial outer end of end plate 142 is provided witha recess 158 in alignment with recess 156. A compressionspring 160 hasits opposite ends disposed in recesses 156 and 158 and is oeprable tobias slide 146 radially outwardly of the turret for the purpose setforth hereinafter.

Clamping device 14 further includes a pair of arcuate clamping members162 and 164 which are supported by slide bracket 134 for pivotalmovement between open and closed positions'relative to one another. Eachclamping member preferably has an arcuate extent of about 180, wherebythe clamping members together are adapted to completely surround a canbody disposed therebetween. The radial inner end of each clamping memberis defined by an axially and circumferentially uninterrupted cradleportion 166 having an arcuate extent of about 90, and the radial outerend of each member is defined by a pair of axially spaced fingers 168.It will be appreciated, therefore, that the clamping members are adaptedto engage a substantial portion of the circumferential outer surface ofa can body disposed therebetween. To facilitate the holding of a canbody against axial and/or rotational displacement relative to theclamping members, the inner surfaces thereof may be provided with liningstrips 170 of a suitable gripping material, such as rubber.

Each clamping member is mounted on bridging portion 140 of slide bracket134 for pivotal movement about an axis generally parallel to the turretaxis. In this respect, clamping member 162 is provided with axiallyspaced plates 172 rigidly connected thereto and provided with an alignedpair of openings adapted to receive a link pin 174, and a second pair ofaligned openings adapted to receive a pivot pin 176. Similarly, clampingmember 164 is provided with axially spaced plates 178 which are rigidlyinterconnected therewith and provided with an aligned pair of openingsfor a link pin 180 and a second pair of aligned openings for receivingpivot pin 176. Bridging portion 140 of slide bracket'l34 is providedwith a circumferentially narrow nose 182 which is apertured to receivepivot pin 176. Plates 172 and 178 of clamping members 162 and 164 aredisposed on one side of nose portion 182, and plates 172 and 178 of theclamping members are disposed on the opposite side of nose portion 140.Ac" cordingly, the several plates and thus clamping members 162 and 164are supported by nose 182 and pin 176 for pivotal movement about theaxis of pin 176 which is parallel to the turret axis.

Pivotal movement is imparted to clamping members 162 and 164 by means ofcorresponding link members having opposite ends pivotally interconnectedone with either link pin 174 or link pin 80 and the other with a linkpin 184 which is parallel to link pins 174 and 180 and supported onslide 146 by cam follower arms 152. More particularly, the axiallyopposite ends of arms 152 are provided with radially extending portions186 which, together with slide member 146, are apertured to receive linkpin 184. A pair of link members 188 have their corresponding oppositeends pivotally interconnected one with link pin 174 and the other withlink pin 184. Similarly, a pair of link members 190 have theircorresponding opposite ends pivotally interconnected one with link pin180 and the other with link pin 184. Accordingly, displacement of links188 and 190 radially inwardly of the turret pivots clamping members 162and 164 clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, about pivot pin176, as viewed in FIG. 5 of the drawing, to open the clamping device.

Displacement of links 188 and 190 radially inwardly of the turret isachieved by clamping cam 124 illus trated schematically in FIG. 6 anddiscussed hereinabove with regard to FIG. 3. In this respect, a pair offollower rollers 192 are. mounted on link pin 184 between links 188 and190 and portions 186 of cam follower arms 152. Clamping cam 124 issupported by the apparatus frame and includes a pair of arms having ancuate cam faces 194 which are adapted to be engaged by follower rollers192 during rotation of the turret as described hereinabove. When rollers192 first engage cam surfaces 194 in the direction of turret rotation,the cam surface contour provides for the rollers to displace slide 146radially inwardly'of the turret against the bias of compression spring160, whereby clamping membersl62 and 164 are pivoted to the openpositions thereof. As follower rollers 192 approach the opposite end andthen leave cam surface 194, spring 160 biases slide 146 and thus linkpin 184 radially outwardly of the turret to pivot the clamping membersto the closed position thereof.

The structure and operation of spindle assemblies 16 will be bestunderstood with reference to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 of the drawing. Portionsof the spindle assembly described hereinabove in connection with theshowings in FIGS. 3 and 4 are identified by like numerals in FIGS. 8, 9and 10.

Housing of the spindle assembly is a tubular structure open at itsopposite ends. The opposed pairs of arms 72 at the opposite ends of thehousing cooperate with slide rods 66 and 68 to mount the spindleassembly on the turret for rotation therewith and to support the spindleassembly against rotation relative to the turret and for reciprocatingsliding movement axially of the turret. As described hereinabove,reciprocation of housing 70 and thus the spindle assembly is achievedthrough the cooperation of a cam follower assembly 76 and axiallyopposed and radially offset cam members 78 and between which thefollower assembly is disposed.

A spindle 200 is axially positioned and rotatably supported withinhousing 70 by bearing assemblies 202 and 204 at opposite ends of thehousing. Spindle 200 has an end 206 extending axially outwardly fromhousing 70 and spindle drive gear 98 is keyed or otherwise mounted onend 206 of the spindle to rotate the spindle as described hereinabove. Alock nut or the like 208 retains drive gear 98 in a fixed axial positionrelative to the spindle.

The other end 210 of spindle 200 carries a forming roll unit 212including an outer male forming roll 124 and an inner female formingroll 216, which rolls are cooperable to neck-in the end portion of a canas described hereinafter. Forming rolls 214 and 216 are rotatable aboutcorresponding axes which are parallel to one another and to spindle axisA, and the rolls are pivotal toward and away from one another about anaxis perpendicular to the roll axes and spindle axis A. In this respect,end 210 of spindle 200 is provided with a pair of spaced apart arms 218which are apertured to receive and support a pivot pin 220 having anaxis transverse to spindle axis A. An upper roll support arm 222 ismounted intermediate its opposite ends for pivotal movement about pin220. More particularly, arm 222 includes an upstanding end 224 to whichouter roll 214 is attached, an intermediate portion defined by spacedapart legs 226 which are apertured to receive pivot pin 220, and aninner end 228 which overlies spindle axis A control lever 230 ispivotally mounted on pin 220 and is provided with a nose portion 232underlying front portion 224 of lever 222. Control lever 230 is providedwith a cam following roller 234 at its inner end, and a compressionspring 236 is interposed between control lever 230 and the spindlehousing to bias the control lever clockwise about pin 220 as viewed inFIG. 9. It will be appreciated that portion 228 of roller lever 222 isapertured for spring 236 to freely pass therethrough. A compressionspring 238 is interposed between portion 228 of rollerlever222 and theinner end of control lever 230 to bias roller lever 222 counterclockwiseabout pivot pin 220. It will be seen, therefore, that counterclockwisedisplacement of control lever 230 operates through compression spring238 to pivot roll lever 222 counterclockwise to move outer roll 214toward inner roll 216. It will be further seen that nose portion 232 ofthe control lever limits counterclockwise movement of roll lever 222relative to the control lever, and that compression spring 238 permitsclockwise displacement of roll lever 222 relative to the control leverwhen the forming rolls are in the positions illustrated in FIG. 9.Relative movement of the latter character is advantageous in that itprevents undesirable wrinkling of the material of the can or theimposition of undesirable stresses on the forming roll assembly during anecking-in operation.

An inner roll lever 240 is mounted intermediate its opposite ends forpivotal movement about pin 220. More particularly, lever 240 includes afront portion 242 to which inner roll 216 is attached, an intermediateportion defined by spaced apart legs 244 which are apertured to receivepivot pin 220, and an inner end 246. End 246 extends under control lever230 and is provided with a cam follower roller 248 underlying roller 234on the control lever. A compression spring 250 is interposed betweeninner end 246 of lever 240 and a plate 252 mounted on end 210 of thespindle, and spring 250 is operable to bias roll lever 240counterclockwise about pin 220 as viewed in FIG. 9. It will be seen,therefore, that displacement of lever 240 clockwise about pivot pin 220moves'roll 216 toward outer roll 214 against the bias of compressionspring 250.

Forming rolls 214 and 216 may be provided with any desired peripheralcontour designed to cooperably form the end portion of a can Cinterposed therebetween. To achieve the best rolling contact of theforming rolls with a can body during rotation of spindle 200, rolls 214and 216 are mounted on corresponding roll axes which are parallel tospindle axis A and which are laterally offset to the same side of avertical line through axis A. More particularly, presuming in FIG. 10that the spindle rotates counterclockwise, upper roll axis 214A islaterally offset from spindle axis A in the direction opposite thedirection of rotation,'and roll axis 216A is similarly offset withrespect to the spindle axis. Rolls 214 and 216 can be mounted on thecorresponding portions of the upper and lower lever arms in any suitablemanner and, in the embodiment illustrated, the mounting is achieved byaxle studs 254 and 256, each'forming roll being mounted on thecorresponding axle stud for idling rotation relative thereto.

As described hereinabove, the clamping devices position a can body C forthe axis of the can body to coincide with spindle axis A. Accordingly,it will be appreciated that roll axes 214A and 216A are positionedrelative to spindle axis A for the outer peripheries of the formingrolls to properly engage the can wall during the necking-in operation.During such operation, rollers 214 and 216 are rotated as a unit byspindle 200, and engagement of the rollers with the. inner and outersurfaces of the can body causes the rollers to rotate relative to oneanother. To furtherfacilitate proper positioning of a can end relativeto the rollers, a stop wall 258 is supported by the spindle so astoengage and locate can body C axially with respect to rollers 214 and216. Further, a counterweight 260 is supported by the spindle at alocation diametrically opposite the forming rolls to provide rotationalbalance for the spindle.

Prior to engagement of forming rolls 214 and 216 with a can end toachieve necking-in thereof, levers 226 and 240 are pivoted clockwise andcounterclockwise, respectively, about pivot pin 220 to move rollers 214and 216 away from one another so that the can end can be receivedtherebetween. As mentioned hereinabove, the rolls are then displacedtoward one another to perform the necking-in operation. Displacement ofthe rolls toward one another is achieved by means of a cam rod 262disposed within spindle 200 for axial displacement relative thereto. Theaxis of cam rod 262 coincides with spindle axis A, and suitable bearings264 and 266 are provided at opposite ends of the spindle to support thecam rod for sliding movement relative thereto. Cam rod 262 has a noseportion 264 disposed between follower rollers 234 and 248. The top sideof nose portion 264 is provided with cam surfaces 266, 267, 268, 269 and270 along which roller 234 is adapted to roll, and the bottom side ofnose portion 264 is provided with cam surfaces 272, 273 and 274 alongwhich roller 248 is adapted to roll.

When the cam rod is in the position illustrated in FIG. 9, cam-surfaces270 and 274 position the corresponding roll levers for forming rolls 214and 216 to be fully closed with respect to one another. It will be seenthat by displacing cam rod 262 to the right in FIG. 9, rollers 234 and248 ride along the corresponding cam surfacesto progressively pivot thecorresponding lever arm and forming roll about pivot pin 220 to move theforming rolls away from one another. During movement of the cam rod inthis manner, compression springs 236 and 250 bias the correspondinglever arms to pivot about pin 220 to move the forming rolls away fromone another. When cam rod 262 has been axially displaced for followerrollers 234 and 248 to engage cam surfaces 266 and 272, respectively,the forming rolls are in fully spaced relationship relative to oneanother.

Displacement of cam rod 262 to theright in FIG. 9 is achieved by meansof a compression spring 276 which surrounds the rod and has one endfixed with respect to a spindle shoulder 278 and the other end abuttinga shoulder 280 on the cam rod. A dowel pin 282 has its opposite endsfixed with respect to spindle 200 and extends through a longitudinalslot 284 provided in cam rod 262. Pin 282 and slot 284 cooperate toprovide for the cam rod to rotate with spindle 200 and to permit limitedlongitudinal movement of the cam rod relative to the spindle.

Movement of cam rod 262 to the left in FIG. 9 from the retractedposition thereof to the position illustrated is acieved as describedhereinabove by means of cam follower roller 114 mounted on cam rod 262and cam member 118 mounted on the apparatus frame. More particularly,follower roller 114 is part of a follower assembly including a housing286 which surrounds end portion 288 of cam rod 262. Housing 286 includesa pair of spaced apart arms 290 which are apertured to receive a rollerpin 292 for mounting roller 114 on the housing. Bearing assemblies 294and a thrust bearing assembly 296 support housing 286 for rotationrelative to end portion 288 of cam rod 262. It will be appreciated thatcam follower roll 114 must be held against rotation relative to thespindle and that cam rod 262 must rotate with the spindle and thusrelative to roller 114. The foregoing bearing arrangement provides forthe relative rotation between the cam rod and follower roller, andhousing 286 is provided with a laterally extending arm 298 slideablyinterengaging a rod 300 which is fixed to one of the spindle housingarms 72. Thus, arm 298 and rod 300 cooperate to restrain rotation ofhousing 286 and thus follower roller 114 during rotation of spindle 200.

As described hereinabove, cam member 118 has an annular cam surface 116engaged by follower roller 114. As illustrated in FIG. 8, cam surface116 is contoured about the periphery thereof to provide axially steppedsurface portions 116A through 116E which are cooperable with followerroller 114 to provide the desired axial displacement of cam rod 262 atan appropriate point during rotation of the turret about its axis. Withthe spindle assembly components in the positions thereof illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9, follower roller 114 engages cam surface portion 116A toposition cam rod 262 such that follower rollers 234 and 248 engage camsurfaces 270 and 274, respectively, of the cam rod. With the cam rod inthis position the forming rollers are positioned to complete thenecking-in operation.

Following completion of the necking-in operation, rotation of the turretcarries the spindle assembly and thus follower roller 114 along camsurface 116 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8, whereby the rollermoves from surface portion 116A onto surface portion 116B under the biasof compression spring 276. The axial distance between cam surfaces 116Aand 116B provides for cam rod 262 to move to the right in FIG. 9 adistance which positions follower rollers 234 and 248 on cam surfaces266 and 272, respectively, to fully space rolls 214 and 216 away fromone another. The degree of incline between surfaces 116A and 1163provides for the cam rod displacement and spacing of rolls 214 and 216to occur rapidly. Spindle 200 is then axially displaced to the right inFIG. 9 to withdraw the rollers from the can end, such axial shiftingbeing achieved by cam follower roller 82 mounted on spindle housing 70and cam 78 on the apparatus frame. Cam 118 is provided with a camsurface portion 116C stepped axially away from the corresponding end ofcam follower roller 114 to permit axial shifting of the spindle withoutthe shifting of the cam rod relative thereto and to the left in FIG. 9.The latter shifting would of course result if follower roller 114remained at the level of cam surface 116B.

As the turret continues to rotate, the finished can body is dischargedfrom the corresponding clamping device and a can body to be necked-in ispicked up by the claming device. Thereafter, spindle 200 is displaced tothe left in FIG. 9 by cam follower roller 84 on spindle housing and camon the frame. This displacement positions the spaced apart formingrollers 214 and 216 outside and inside the can end. Displacement of thespindle to the left in FIG. 9 carries follower roller 114 to the lefttherewith and, accordingly, cam 118 is provided with a cam surface 116Dwhich inclines from surface 116C toward the spindle. Surface 116Dprovides for follower roller 114 to maintain contact with the cam butwithout axial displacement of cam rod 262 which at this time ispositioned with cam surfaces 266 and 272 engaging follower rollers 234and 248.

As the turret continues to rotate, follower roller 114 engages and movesalong cam surface 116E which is gradually inclined toward the spindleassembly to displace cam rod 262 to the left in FIG. 9. Suchdisplacement of cam rod 262 first provides for follower roller 234 toengage cam surface 267 and for follower roller 248 to engage cam surface273, whereby forming rolls 214 and 216 are moved toward one another andinto engagement with the can wall to initiate the necking-in operation.The spindle is of course rotating constantly whereby rolls 214 and 216are translated around the can periphery for the engagement thereof withthe can wall to rotate the rolls to cooperate in deforming the canmaterial. As the turret continues to rotate, cam rod 262 is furtherdisplaced to the left in FIG. 9 to move follower roller 234 onto camsurface 268, whereby forming roll 214 idles in its movement towardforming roll 216. As cam rod 262 is further displaced to the left,follower roller 234 engages surface cam 269, whereby forming roll 214 isagain moved toward roll 216. Finally, cam rod 262 reaches the positionillustrated, whereby the forming rolls are both idled in movement towardone another and are fully closed with respect to one another.

The foregoing operation is of course repeated each time a can body to beformed is received and clamped in a corresponding clamping device.Moreover, it will be appreciated that the opposed pairs of spindleassemblies 16 provide for the opposite ends of a can body to benecked-in simultaneously during one complete rotation of the turretabout its axis. The opposed spindle assemblies are of identicalstructure as are the coresponding cam follower and cam members providedto achieve axial displacement of the spindle and axial displacement ofthe cam rod.

The sequence of operation of the clamping device and spindle assembliesduring one complete rovolution of the turret about its axis will be moreclearly understood from the displacement diagram of FIG. 1 l, which is aplot of the various functions which take place with respect to degreesof rotation of the turret from a zero reference point between the inputand discharge stations of the apparatus. In the latter position of theturret, a radial line throught the turret axis and a spindle axis issubstantially horizontal. In the displacement diagram of FIG. 11, line310 designates the closed relationship between the clamping members ofclamping device 14, and line 320 represents an imaginary line betweenthe outermost and innermost surfaces of forming rolls 114 and 116 whenthe latter are in the fully closed position with a can body disposedtherebetween, the imaginary line extending in a direction perpendicularto the roll axes. Line 330 represents the fully retracted position ofcam rod 262 and in which follower rollers 234 and 248 engage camsurfaces 266 and 272 of the cam rod, and line 340 represents the fullyretracted position of the spindle and in which position the formingrolls are axially spaced from the corresponding end of a can body heldby the clamping device.

At the position of turret rotation, the spindle is in the fullyretracted position thereof, cam rod 330 is in its fully retractedposition relative to the spindle, the outer and inner forming rolls arespaced apart, and the cam body clamping device is open. The center linefor the intake station corresponds to about 25 of turret rotation, andprior to the turret reaching this position a can body is received in theclamping device and closure of the clamping device proceeds so that thecan body is nearly fully clamped when the turret reaches the 25position. At the 25 position, spindle displacement cams 78 and 80cooperate with the spindle housing follower to initiate displacement ofthe spindle toward the corresponding end of the clamped can body. Duringthis positioning of the spindle, the cam rod moves therewith andaccordingly is displaced a corresponding distance. At about 50 ofrotation of the turret, the spindle is in its fully displaced positionwhereby the outer and inner forming rolls are disposed outwardly andinwardly of the end portion of the clamped can. Preferably, can clampingcam 124 actuates the clamping device to slightly release the can bodybetween about the 40 to 60 point of turret rotation so that movement ofthe opposed spindles toward the corresponding can ends operates toassure proper positioning of the can body therebetween.

The necking-in operation begins at about 50 of turret rotation. In thisrespect, displacement of cam rod 262 from its retracted position towardsits extended position relative to the spindle is initiated by cam 118.In FIG. 1 1, line 322 represents displacement-of outer roll 214 towardthe inner roll, and line 324 represents displacement of inner roll 216toward the outer roll. Line 332 represents the axial displacement of camrod 262 relative to the spindle. It will be seen that from the 50position of the turret to about the 109 position thereof the outer andinner forming rolls move gradually toward one another as followerrollers 234 and 248 on the forming roll levers move along cam surfaces267 and 273 respectively of cam rod 262. At about 109 of turretrotation, follower roller 234 reaches cam surfaces 268 whereby outerforming roll 214 dwells in its movement toward the inner forming roll.At the same time, follower roller 248 is in engagement with cam surface273 whereby the inner forming roll 216 continues to be displaced towardthe outer forming roll. It will be seen from line 332 that axialdisplacement of cam rod 262 relative to the spindle is uniform as aresult of the linear contour of the inclined camming surface 116E of cammember 118.

At about l97.5 of turret rotation, follower roller 248 has reached camsurface 274 of the cam rod representing the extent of maximumdisplacement of the inner forming roll toward the outer forming roll,and cam surface 274 provides for the inner roll to dwell in thisposition. At the same position of turret rotation, follower roll 234engages cam surface 269 of cam rod 262, whereby dwell of the outerforming roll is terminated and the latter is again displaced toward theinner roll. At about 270 of turret rotation, follower roll 234 engagescam surface 270 representing the extent of maximum displacement of theouter roll toward the inner roll, and at this time the outer roll dwellstogether with the inner roll to achieve ironing of the formed end of thecan body.

The inner and outer forming rolls idle in the closed positions thereoffor a period of about 20 of turret rotation from the 270 positionthereof to achieve ironing of the formed can end. At about 285 of turretrotation cam rod 262 starts its return movement relative to the spindle,and at about 290 of turret rotation return movement of the cam rodinitiates movement of the inner and outer forming rolls toward thespaced apart positions thereof. At the 310 position of the turret thecam rod is fully retracted and the forming rolls reach the fully spacedapart positions thereof.

Further, at the 310 position of the turret, retraction of the spindlebegins together with displacement of the cam rod therewith, and at about355 of turret rotation the spindle and cam rod are in the fullyretracted positions which provide for the forming rolls to be axiallyspaced from the corresponding end of the formed can body. The 355position of the turret corresponds to the center line of the dischargestation, and just prior to the turret reaching this position the canclamping cam operates to open the clamping device for release of theformed can. The clamping device then remains in the fully open positionfor the remainder of the cycle of turret rotation, the forming rollsremain in the spaced apart positions thereof, and the spindle and camrod remain in the fully retracted positions thereof.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that rotation ofthe turret is continuous and that each clamping device and thecorresponding spindle assemblies on the turret operate in the foregoingmanner to continuously receive, form and discharge container bodiesduring turret rotation.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the fact that theturret supports opposed pairs of spindle assemblies for simultaneouslynecking-in the opposite ends of a can body clamped therebetween, it willbe appreciated that the turret can carry a clamping device and acorresponding spindle assembly for forming just one end of a can body,or that the apparatus disclosed herein can be operated to form just oneend of the can body. In the latter respect, for example, spindleassemblies 16 on one side of the clamping devices are readily removablefrom the turret by the removal of the slide pins 66 and 68.Alternatively, cam rod 262 can be removed from the spindle assemblieswhereby the forming rolls would be maintained in the spaced apartpositions thereof and would not engage the corre' sponding end of a canbody during spindle rotation. Further, while considerable emphasis hasbeen placed on the specific structure of the components of the apparatusillustrated in the drawings, it will be appreciated that the specificstructures can readily be modified without departing from the principlesof the present invention. Accordingly, as many embodiments of thepresent invention may be made and as many changes may be made in thepreferred embodiment herein illustrated and described, it is to bedistinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative of the present invention and not as alimitation.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for necking-in an end portion of a substantiallycylindrical can body having a longitudinal axis, inner and outersubstantially cylindrical surfaces and opposite end portions comprising:a frame, a turret rotatably supported by said frame, a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced can body receiving and clamping means eachcarried by said turret for clamping the outer cylindrical surface of acan body between said end portions thereof, a corresponding spindle onsaid turret for each clamping means and having a longitudinal spindleaxis substantially coincidental with the longitudinal axis of a can bodyclamped in the corresponding can body receiving and clamping means,means supporting said spindle for rotation relative to said turret andaxial displacement relativeto said turret between retracted and extendedpositions with respect to an end portionof said can body clamped in saidcorresponding clamping means, said spindle having inner and outerforming rolls supported thereon for rotation about roll axes and forrelative displacement of said rolls toward and away from one another,said roll axes being spaced from one another and from said spindle axis,said ,inner and outer rolls in said extended position of said spindlereceving said end portion of said can body therebetween, means to rotatesaid turret and spindle, and means operable in response to turretrotation to axially displace said spindle between said retracted andextended positions and to displace said rolls toward one another whensaid spindle is in said extended position for said rolls to neck-in saidend portion of said can body, said rolls being connected with saidspindle by levers pivotal about lever axes extending substantiallyperpendicular to said spindle axis, said means to displace said rollstoward one another including cam follower means on said levers, firstcam means axially displaceable relative to said spindle and cooperablewith said follower means to pivot said levers and thus said rolls, andsecond cam means on said frame for axially displacing said first cammeans.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second cam means isoperable to displace said first cam means in one direction to pivot saidlevers and move said rolls toward one another, and means biasing saidfirst cam means in the direction opposite said one direction.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first cam meansincludes a cam rod generally coaxial with said spindle, said one andopposite directions being axially of said cam rod, and said biasingmeans is spring means biasing said cam rod in said opposite direction.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, and means biasing said levers indirections for moving said rolls away from one another.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first cam meansincludes an elongated cam rod mounted on said spindle, said cam rodhaving stepped cam surfaces on one end thereof and cam follower means onthe other end thereof, said cam surfaces cooperating with said camfollower means on said levers to progressively displace said rollstoward one another when said cam rod is displaced in said one direction,said second cam means including a cam surface for engaging said camfollower means on said other end of said cam rod and progressivelydisplacing said cam rod in said one direction. v

' 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said biasing meansisfirst spring means biasing said cam rod toward said second cam means,and second spring means biasing said levers in directions for movingsaid rolls away from one another.

gitudinal axis of a can body clamped in the corresponding can bodyreceiving and clamping means, means supporting said spindle for rotationrelative to said turret and axial displacement relative to said turretbetween retracted and extended positions with respect to an end portionof said can body clamped in said corresponding clamping means, saidspindle having inner and outer forming rolls supported thereon forrotation about roll axes and for relative displacement of said rollstoward and away from one another, said roll axes being spaced from oneanother and from said spindle axis, said inner and outer rolls in saidextended position of said spindle receiving said end portion of said canbody therebetween, means to rotate said turret and spindle, meansoperable in response to turret rotation to axially displace said spindlebetween said retracted and extended positions and to displace said rollstoward one another when said spindle is in said extended position forsaid rolls to neck-in said end portion of said can body, said means toaxially displace said spindle between said retracted and extendedpositions including cam follower means interconnected with said spindleand spindle cam means on said frame engaging said cam follower means todisplace said spindle in response to turret rotation, said meanssupporting said spindle for rotation and axial displacement relative tosaid turret including a housing, bearing means rotatably supporting saidspindle within said housing, and means supporting said housing on saidturret for sliding movement in the direction of said spindle axis, saidcam follower means interconnected with said spindle being fixed on saidhousing, whereby said housing and thus said spindle is axially displacedduring turret rotation.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said forming rolls areconnected with said spindle by levers pivotal about lever axes extendingsubstantially perpendicular to said spindle axis, said means to displacesaid rolls toward one another including cam follower means on saidlevers, first cam means axially displaceable relative to said spindleand cooperable with. said follower means to pivot said levers and thussaid rolls, and second cam means on said frame foraxially displacingsaid first cam means. I

9.- The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said spindle is tubularand said first cam means includes an elongated cam rod mounted in saidtubular spindle and coaxial therewith, said cam rod having stepped camsurfaces on one end thereof and cam follower means on the other endthereof, said cam surfaces cooperating with said cam follower means onsaid levers to progressively displace said rolls toward one another whensaid cam rod is displaced in one direction, said second cam meansincluding a cam surface for engaging said cam follower means on saidother end of said cam rod and progressively displacing said cam rod insaid one direction.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, and first spring means biasingsaid cam rod toward said second cam means, and second spring meansbiasing said levers in directions for moving said rolls away from oneanother.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said can body receivingand clamping means includes a pair of arcuate clamping members supportedfor pivotal movement between receiving and clamping positions relativeto one another about pivot axes extending substantially parallel to saidlongitudinal axis of said can body, cam follower means on said clampingmembers, clamp member cam means on said frame and having a cam surfaceengaged by said follower means on said clamping members during a portionof one revolution of said turret to pivot said clamping members to saidreceiving position, and spring means operable to move said clampingmembers to the clamping position during the remainder of said onerevolution.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said means to rotatesaid spindle includes first gear means, means supporting said first gearmeans for rotation relative to said frame about an axis concentric withthe axis of said turret, second gear means in meshing engagement withsaid first gear means and mounted on said spindle for rotating saidspindle in response to rotation on said first gear means, and means torotate said first gear means relative to said frame.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, including shaft meanssupporting said turret for rotation therewith relative to said frame,first gear means concentric with said shaft means and supported forrotation relative to said shaft means, second gear means in meshingengagement with said first gear means andmounted on said spindle forrotating said spindle in response to rotation of said first gear means,said means to rotate said spindle and turret including means torelatively rotate said shaft means and said first gear means.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said means torelatively rotate said shaft means and first gear means is correspondingand separate motor means.

15. Apparatus for necking-in can bodies comprising: a rotatable spindlehaving a longitudinal axis inner and outer forming rolls, means mountingsaid rolls on said spindle for rotation therewith and for idlingrotation relative thereto about roll axes extending'substantiallyparallel to said spindle axis and laterally spaced therefrom, saidmounting means further supporting said rolls for displacemenet of saidroll axes and said rolls toward and away from one another, spindle drivemeans for rotating said spindle about said spindle axis to move saidroll axis in circular paths about said spindle axis, actuating meansincluding cam means displaceable axially of said spindle for moving saidrolls toward and away from one another during rotation of said spindle,said rolls being mounted on levers pivotal relative to said spindleabout said axes extending substantially perpendicular to said spindleaxis, said cam means including anelongated axially shiftable cam rod onsaid spindle and having cam surfaces, said levers having lever camfollowers cooperable with said cam surfaces on said cam rod for movingsaid rolls toward one another during axial movement of said cam rod inone direction, said actuating means further including means biasing saidrolls to move away from one another during axial movement of said camrod in the direction opposite said one direction, and means for movingsaid cam rod in said one and opposite directions.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said spindle includes atubular member and said cam rod is axially reciprocable within saidtubular member, said roll levers being positioned at one end of saidtubular member, said cam rod having an actuating end extending axiallyfrom the other end of said tubular memher, a tubular housing, saidspindle being in and coaxial with said housing, said ends of saidtubular member extending axially outwardly from the corresponding endsof said housing, and means supporting said tubular member in saidhousing for rotation relative thereto.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, and further including means forsupporting a can body in coaxial alignment with said spindle axis andwith an end of said can body facing said one end of said tubular member,and means supporting said housing for reciprocating movement in thedirection of said spindle axis between a first position in which saidrolls are axially spaced from said can end and a second position inwhich said rolls receive said can end therebetween.

1. Apparatus for necking-in an end portion of a substantiallycylindrical can body having a longitudinal axis, inner and outersubstantially cylindrical surfaces and opposite end portions comprising:a frame, a turret rotatably supported by said frame, a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced can body receiving and clamping means eachcarried by said turret for clamping the outer cylindrical surface of acan body between said end portions thereof, a corresponding spindle onsaid turret for each clamping means and having a longitudinal spindleaxis substantially coincidental with the longitudinal axis of a can bodyclamped in the corresponding can body receiving and clamping means,means supporting said spindle for rotation relative to said turret andaxial displacement relative to said turret between retracted andextended positions with respect to an end portion of said can bodyclamped in said corresponding clamping means, said spindle having innerand outer forming rolls supported thereon for rotation about roll axesand for relative displacement of said rolls toward and away from oneanother, said roll axes being spaced from one another and from saidspindle axis, said inner and outer rolls in said extended position ofsaid spindle receving said end portion of said can body therebetween,means to rotate said turret and spindle, and means operable in responseto turret rotation to axially displace said spindle between saidretracted and extended positions and to displace said rolls toward onEanother when said spindle is in said extended position for said rolls toneck-in said end portion of said can body, said rolls being connectedwith said spindle by levers pivotal about lever axes extendingsubstantially perpendicular to said spindle axis, said means to displacesaid rolls toward one another including cam follower means on saidlevers, first cam means axially displaceable relative to said spindleand cooperable with said follower means to pivot said levers and thussaid rolls, and second cam means on said frame for axially displacingsaid first cam means.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid second cam means is operable to displace said first cam means inone direction to pivot said levers and move said rolls toward oneanother, and means biasing said first cam means in the directionopposite said one direction.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2,wherein said first cam means includes a cam rod generally coaxial withsaid spindle, said one and opposite directions being axially of said camrod, and said biasing means is spring means biasing said cam rod in saidopposite direction.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, and meansbiasing said levers in directions for moving said rolls away from oneanother.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first cammeans includes an elongated cam rod mounted on said spindle, said camrod having stepped cam surfaces on one end thereof and cam followermeans on the other end thereof, said cam surfaces cooperating with saidcam follower means on said levers to progressively displace said rollstoward one another when said cam rod is displaced in said one direction,said second cam means including a cam surface for engaging said camfollower means on said other end of said cam rod and progressivelydisplacing said cam rod in said one direction.
 6. The apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein said biasing means is first spring meansbiasing said cam rod toward said second cam means, and second springmeans biasing said levers in directions for moving said rolls away fromone another.
 7. Apparatus for necking-in an end portion of asubstantially cylindrical can body having a longitudinal axis, inner andouter substantially cylindrical surfaces and opposite end portionscomprising: a frame, a turret rotatably supported by said frame, aplurality of circumferentially spaced can body receiving and clampingmeans each carried by said turret for clamping the outer cylindricalsurface of a can body between said end portions thereof, a correspondingspindle on said turret for each clamping means and having a longitudinalspindle axis substantially coincidental with the longitudinal axis of acan body clamped in the corresponding can body receiving and clampingmeans, means supporting said spindle for rotation relative to saidturret and axial displacement relative to said turret between retractedand extended positions with respect to an end portion of said can bodyclamped in said corresponding clamping means, said spindle having innerand outer forming rolls supported thereon for rotation about roll axesand for relative displacement of said rolls toward and away from oneanother, said roll axes being spaced from one another and from saidspindle axis, said inner and outer rolls in said extended position ofsaid spindle receiving said end portion of said can body therebetween,means to rotate said turret and spindle, means operable in response toturret rotation to axially displace said spindle between said retractedand extended positions and to displace said rolls toward one anotherwhen said spindle is in said extended position for said rolls to neck-insaid end portion of said can body, said means to axially displace saidspindle between said retracted and extended positions including camfollower means interconnected with said spindle and spindle cam means onsaid frame engaging said cam follower means to displace said spindle inresponse to turret rotation, said means supporting said spindle forrotation and axial displacement relative to said turret including ahousing, bearing means rotatably supporting said spindle within saidhousing, and means supporting said housing on said turret for slidingmovement in the direction of said spindle axis, said cam follower meansinterconnected with said spindle being fixed on said housing, wherebysaid housing and thus said spindle is axially displaced during turretrotation.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said formingrolls are connected with said spindle by levers pivotal about lever axesextending substantially perpendicular to said spindle axis, said meansto displace said rolls toward one another including cam follower meanson said levers, first cam means axially displaceable relative to saidspindle and cooperable with said follower means to pivot said levers andthus said rolls, and second cam means on said frame for axiallydisplacing said first cam means.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 8,wherein said spindle is tubular and said first cam means includes anelongated cam rod mounted in said tubular spindle and coaxial therewith,said cam rod having stepped cam surfaces on one end thereof and camfollower means on the other end thereof, said cam surfaces cooperatingwith said cam follower means on said levers to progressively displacesaid rolls toward one another when said cam rod is displaced in onedirection, said second cam means including a cam surface for engagingsaid cam follower means on said other end of said cam rod andprogressively displacing said cam rod in said one direction.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 9, and first spring means biasing said camrod toward said second cam means, and second spring means biasing saidlevers in directions for moving said rolls away from one another. 11.The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said can body receiving andclamping means includes a pair of arcuate clamping members supported forpivotal movement between receiving and clamping positions relative toone another about pivot axes extending substantially parallel to saidlongitudinal axis of said can body, cam follower means on said clampingmembers, clamp member cam means on said frame and having a cam surfaceengaged by said follower means on said clamping members during a portionof one revolution of said turret to pivot said clamping members to saidreceiving position, and spring means operable to move said clampingmembers to the clamping position during the remainder of said onerevolution.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said meansto rotate said spindle includes first gear means, means supporting saidfirst gear means for rotation relative to said frame about an axisconcentric with the axis of said turret, second gear means in meshingengagement with said first gear means and mounted on said spindle forrotating said spindle in response to rotation on said first gear means,and means to rotate said first gear means relative to said frame. 13.The apparatus according to claim 11, including shaft means supportingsaid turret for rotation therewith relative to said frame, first gearmeans concentric with said shaft means and supported for rotationrelative to said shaft means, second gear means in meshing engagementwith said first gear means and mounted on said spindle for rotating saidspindle in response to rotation of said first gear means, said means torotate said spindle and turret including means to relatively rotate saidshaft means and said first gear means.
 14. The apparatus according toclaim 13, wherein said means to relatively rotate said shaft means andfirst gear means is corresponding and separate motor means. 15.Apparatus for necking-in can bodies comprising: a rotatable spindlehaving a longitudinal axis inner and outer forming rolls, means mountingsaid rolls on said spindle for rotation therewith and for idlingrotation relative thereto about roll axes extending substantiallyparallel to said spindle axis and laterally spaced therefrom, saidmounting means further supporting said rolls for displacemenet of saidroll axes and said rolls toward and away from one another, spindle drivemeans for rotating said spindle about said spindle axis to move saidroll axis in circular paths about said spindle axis, actuating meansincluding cam means displaceable axially of said spindle for moving saidrolls toward and away from one another during rotation of said spindle,said rolls being mounted on levers pivotal relative to said spindleabout said axes extending substantially perpendicular to said spindleaxis, said cam means including an elongated axially shiftable cam rod onsaid spindle and having cam surfaces, said levers having lever camfollowers cooperable with said cam surfaces on said cam rod for movingsaid rolls toward one another during axial movement of said cam rod inone direction, said actuating means further including means biasing saidrolls to move away from one another during axial movement of said camrod in the direction opposite said one direction, and means for movingsaid cam rod in said one and opposite directions.
 16. The apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein said spindle includes a tubular memberand said cam rod is axially reciprocable within said tubular member,said roll levers being positioned at one end of said tubular member,said cam rod having an actuating end extending axially from the otherend of said tubular member, a tubular housing, said spindle being in andcoaxial with said housing, said ends of said tubular member extendingaxially outwardly from the corresponding ends of said housing, and meanssupporting said tubular member in said housing for rotation relativethereto.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, and further includingmeans for supporting a can body in coaxial alignment with said spindleaxis and with an end of said can body facing said one end of saidtubular member, and means supporting said housing for reciprocatingmovement in the direction of said spindle axis between a first positionin which said rolls are axially spaced from said can end and a secondposition in which said rolls receive said can end therebetween.